CONTINUING ITS 'Season of Giving', Churches Cooperative Credit Union (CCCU) has launched an islandwide toy drive to collect gift items which will serve as Christmas presents for less-fortunate children this December.

Over the next five months, members of the public are being encouraged to drop off toys at any CCCU branch islandwide and the company will donate the items to children's homes across the country at the end of the year. Interested persons can bring in new toys, as well as used toys in excellent condition.

latest initiative

The toy drive is the CCCU's latest initiative as the organisation continues its 'Season of Giving' campaign which was launched in April of this year. Under this programme, the CCCU has been providing support to local charities and churches and carrying out social-outreach activities in various communities.

"In spite of the challenging economic climate, CCCU has made 2009 a year of giving and we intend to continue right up until December," said Juven Montague Anderson, marketing and public relations manager at CCCU. "We particularly want to have a meaningful impact on less-fortunate children this Christmas, so we are starting our toy drive from now to give the public ample time to make as many donations as they wish."

The initiative was announced on the last Sunday of July to coincide with the launch of another CCCU initiative - a series of end-of-month family brunches that the financial institution is hosting in partnership with the Knutsford Court Hotel.

Dubbed "The Family That Eats Together Stays Together Brunch", the mid-morning events are held on the last Sunday of every month to provide a place where families can come together for a meal, fellowship and wholesome entertainment. The brunches feature live entertainment, including music, singing and storytelling, and patrons will also get chances to win gifts and giveaways from CCCU.

"Our aim is to bring families closer together by creating a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere where people can spend quality time with their relatives and bond over great food, great entertainment and hopefully, great conversation," said Montague Anderson.

CCCU's Sunday brunch series underscores the advice of numerous psychologists and family therapists who state that families who share meals regularly tend to have stronger relationships and enjoy better communication. The impact is reportedly particularly significant in parent-child relationships, as children who eat regularly with their parents tend to be well adjusted, do well in school, and are less likely to succumb to negative peer pressure.

The CCCU's Sunday brunches are held at the Melting Pot Restaurant located at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston.